Direction signal



Oct. 29, 1935. l J. A. SMNA 2,019,366

DIRECTION SIGNAL Filed June 4, 193,4

*f Patented Oct. 29, 1935 UNITED STATES` .PATENT OFFICE nmncnon SIGNAL e Jaim A. ser, Madera, cam. Application :une 4, 1934, 'sm-m1 No. 129,023 1 claim. (c1. 117-329) This invention relates to direction signals for motor vehicles and has for the primary object the provision of a device of the above stated character which will permit a driver of a motor vehicle to conveniently indicate right or left turns by the illumination Aof different colored signals, .eliminating the necessity of hand signals and provides a device which will be clearly noticeable from a considerable distance and especially at night time to materially reduce traiiic accidents.

With theseand other objects in view this invention consists in certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter more fully described and claimed. Y

For a complete understanding of my invention, reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a fragmentary front elevation illustrating the application of a direction signal thereto and which is constructed in accordance with Y my invention.

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view illustrating the same.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view illustrating the signal.

Figure 4 is a detail sectional view showing the -means of removably securing oppositewalls of the signal casing in assembled position.

Figure 5 is a diagrammatical view showing a wiring diagram and switch mechanism to eiect operation of the signals.

Fig. 6 is a detail sectional view illustrating a modied form of illumination means for the signal.

Referring in detail to the drawing, the numex-al I indicates a casing having secured to its bottom wall an arcuately curved bracket 2 apertured to receive fasteners 3 for removably securing the casing to a fender or mudguard of a. motor vehicle. While this invention is illustrated as mounted to the fender or mudguard of the motor vehicle it is to be understood that it may be secured to any other place upon the' vehicle which will position it in View to approaching traiiic of the vehicle.

The casing I is of substantially rectangular shape positioned horizontally upon the vehicle and front and rear walls 4 are removably secured to the casing by means of stud bolts. 5 ex- Ytending through said front and rear walls and threaded vto angle iron brackets 6 welded or otherwise secured to the casing. The front andrrear walls of the casing are cut away or slotted in the shape of arrows I forming The arrowsof each wall point in opposite directions and the uppermost arrows of said walls point in the same direction to indicate a turn in one direction andA the lowermost arrows point in the same direction to indicate a turn in an opposite 5 direction. Mounted-in the casing in rear of the arrows arevtransparent panels 8 which are supported by brackets 9 formed on the casing and also by brackets I0 receiving a partition II. The partition Il divides the casing into upper and 10 lower compartments. Each compartment has an arrow pointing in. an opposite direction which arrows are arranged at opposite sides of the cas- Mounted within the casing is a light supporting 15 frame I2, the ends of which are oiset to .form the brackets I0 and said frame is of skeleton formation composed of end members and upper and lower members with opposite sides thereof open.V The end members of 'the frame are 20 form of neon tubes, as shown in Figure 3, or a series of small electric lamps I6, as shown in Figure 6. The neon tubes I5 when employed are so supported in openings formed in the end members of the frame with a neon tube in each com.- partment. It is preferable that these neon tubes be of diierent colors Aso that the arrows pointing in opposite directions will be distinguishable by 35 the diierent colored light rays. The neon tubes at one end are electrically grounded to the casing by contacts I'I, while the opposite ends engage with contacts I8 insulated from the casing and are connected to conductors 20 which are in turn 40 connected to electric control switches 2|. The casing is connected to a ground by a conductor 22 and the switches are connected to 4a suitable electrical source in which circuit may be located a transformer if necessary. The electric switches 2| and their operating medium form the subject matter of a co-pending application iiledvJune 4, 1934 and Serial No. 729,022. y

The electric lamps I6 when employed in lieu of the neon tubes are suitably mounted in 'the frame and connected in the electric circuit heretofore described.

A suitable mirrored reflector I6' is employed in conjunction with the electric lamps I6 forre- 55 fleeting the light rays through the arrows 'I o! the casing.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing it will be seen that a very simple and practical direction signal has been provided and which may be manufactored and sold at a low cost and one that may be conveniently actuated by the driver of the motor vehicle for the purpose of indicating turns in diierent directions and eliminating hand signals to indicate such turns. y

Having described the invention,'I claim:

A direction signal comprising a casing having opposite walls thereof provided with direction indicating slots. a frame mounted in the casing and including upper and lower and end members and open sides thereon, said open sides being arranged opposite to the slots of said casing, said end members intermediate the ends thereof being offset to provide channeled portions, a partition received by said channeled portions to divide the casing into upper and lower compartments, said end members having the ends thereof on'set angularly thereto to provide rests 10 JOHN A. SPINA. 

